Risk Factors for Non-Communicable Diseases Flashcards
Organisations (12 cards)
What are risk factors?
Things linked to an increase in the likelihood that a person will develop a certain disease during their lifetime
They don’t guarantee that someone will get the disease.
What can be considered as risk factors?
Aspects of a person’s lifestyle and the presence of certain substances in the environment or body
Examples include air pollution and asbestos fibers.
How do risk factors interact in relation to non-communicable diseases?
Many non-communicable diseases are caused by several different risk factors interacting with each other
Rather than one factor alone.
What impact do lifestyle factors have on disease incidence?
Lifestyle factors can have different impacts locally, nationally, and globally
For example, higher incidence of diseases in developed countries due to lifestyle choices.
How does income affect the incidence of non-communicable diseases?
In developed countries, higher income allows people to buy high-fat foods, increasing disease incidence
People from deprived areas are more likely to smoke and have poor diets.
What are some direct causes of diseases?
Some risk factors can directly cause diseases, such as:
* Smoking causes cardiovascular disease and lung cancer
* Obesity can cause Type 2 diabetes
* Excessive alcohol can cause liver disease
* Smoking and alcohol during pregnancy can harm unborn babies
* Certain substances or radiation can cause cancer
What is a carcinogen?
A substance that can cause cancer
Examples include ionizing radiation like X-rays.
What is the relationship between correlation and causation in risk factors?
Correlation does not always equal causation; some risk factors may not directly cause a disease
For example, lack of exercise and a high-fat diet are linked to cardiovascular disease but do not cause it directly.
What is the human cost of non-communicable diseases?
Millions of people die from non-communicable diseases each year, affecting their quality of life and lifespan
This impacts both the sufferers and their loved ones.
What is the financial cost associated with non-communicable diseases?
The cost to health services from researching and treating these diseases is huge
Families may have to adapt their homes or lose income if a family member is affected.
Fill in the blank: Risk factors can be aspects of a person’s _______ or substances in their _______.
lifestyle; environment
True or False: Lifestyle factors have the same impact on disease incidence across different regions.
False
